Appalachian State Considering Move To FBS: Good Idea?

Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina and is widely known for its recent football success.

They gained national exposure with a historic upset of the Michigan Wolverines, the most successful program in college football history.

Appalachian State upsets Michigan

In 2007, the Appalachian State Mountaineers went into the "Big House" to take on the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines.

The Wolverines were the prohibited favorite to win the Big Ten title. They returned eventual No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft Jake Long, quarterback Chad Henne, and running back Mike Hart.

The Wolverines were a 27-point favorite, the game was looked as such a mismatch that Las Vegas sportsbooks refused to offer a betting line.

Although the Mountaineers were the favorites to win a third-straight FCS title and entered the game with a 14-game win streak, no one gave them a chance.

You know the story, Appalachian State blocked a Michigan field-goal attempt to win the game and returned it all the way to the Wolverines five-yard line.

The Mountaineers won 34-32, marking one of the biggest upsets in the history of American sports. It was also the first time a FCS team defeated a ranked FBS school since the NCAA split its Division I into two football subdivisions in 1978.

Recent Success

Appalachian State won three straight national championships from 2005-07 and have led the FCS in attendance the past three years.

The Mountaineers, who recently renovated its stadium is averaging 28,963 fans in two home games this season as it seeks a sixth straight Southern Conference title.

Appalachian State considered a move to college football's top tier in 1998, but decided it was not the right move.

On Thursday, athletic director Charlie Cobb announced that the university will look again look at the option of moving up to the FBS.

"With the changing Division I landscape and the unprecedented success that our football team has enjoyed on and off the field in recent years, the time is right to analyze all our options as a Division I athletics department and football program," said Cobb.

Right Move

Appalachian State should make the jump and join the FBS. Now is as good of a time as any.

They are a solid football program, as well as a fine university. Playing in the FBS will gain more exposure for the school and will also help with recruiting.

It is important to for any sport in any program to play against better competition. The Mountaineers will drop in victories, but it is no question they will excel down the road.

As a football fan, it will be great to see some teams like Appalachian State, Montana, and Georgia Southern make the jump to play better competition.